After a back and forth game, with an extra end required, Sweden defeated Switzerland 7-6 in the battle of the top two teams.

With this victory, Sweden has managed to clench a spot in the gold medal game.

Both teams were strong competitors; Sweden are the defending champions from last year’s event, while Switzerland’s skip Mirjam Ott has competed at three consecutive Olympic Games, winning the silver medal in 2002 and 2006.

The game started quickly with two points from Sweden during the first end. Maria Prytz, Sweden’s fourth, was instrumental in the scoring of those points. Ott managed to get a point on the board in the second end, and tied the game in the third.

The score at halftime was 3-2 for Sweden, after the teams blanked the fifth end.

In the sixth end, Switzerland tied the game up with one point. Officials had to come onto the ice to measure Sweden and Switzerland’s rocks to determine which team was closer.

Sweden took the lead again in the seventh after Christina Bertrup’s well-placed shots managed to clear Switzerland out of the house. However, with assistance from Carmen Schäfer, Ott scored two points in the eight end, allowing Switzerland to take the lead for the first time in the game.

After 10 ends, the teams were tied 6-6. In the 11^th end, Sweden secured their victory with a single point.

Sweden’s opponent in the gold medal game will be determined Saturday. The winner of Canada and Korea will play Switzerland tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the semi-finals. The winner of that game will meet Sweden in the gold medal game on Sunday at 4 p.m.